Starting anew: Bring in 2025 with traditional celebrations and new festivities

Goodbye 2024, hello 2025! Celebrate the last day of 2024, with several options across New Mexico, from midday celebrations to late night parties, there’s a way for every person to welcome the new year.

New Years Eve 1920’s Gala

Celebrate the New Year in old school, roaring 20’s fashion while swing dancing from 8:30 p.m. to 1:30 a.m. at Juno Brewery, 1501 First Street NW. Spend the night drinking champagne, enjoying dinner at the kitchen, which is open from 6 p.m. to 10:30 p.m., and enjoy live music by the Albuquerque Jazz Bandits. A swing dance lesson will take place at 8 p.m. Tickets are $20 and available at eventbrite.com. This is a 21 and older event.

ABQ NYE Studio 54: ‘The Party of the Year’

Enjoy a night of glitz and glamour at the Lobo Theater Lounge & Event Center, 3013 Central Ave. NE. Ring in the New Year in ‘70s fashion under the dazzling lights of disco balls. In classic New Mexico style, the event will have a Chile Drop to bring in 2025. Cast your vote for red or green. For those who want an elevated experience, VIP tickets are available and allow access to VIP tables, personal service, signature handcrafted cocktails and a champagne toast at a private table, complete with themed party favors. Tickets are $75-$125 and available at eventbrite.com. This is a 21+ event.

New Year’s Eve Before Dark

Spend the day bringing in the New Year from 10 a.m. to noon at the Anderson Abruzzo Albuquerque International Balloon Museum, located at 9401 Balloon Museum Drive NE. Join the Science Girl (Melissa Alderete) at 10:30 a.m. in her lab as she shows the power of science. Engage in interactive science activites with family while enjoying live music and a variety of local food trucks. Admission is free. For more information visit balloonmuseum.com

New Year’s Eve at Sawmill Market

Sawmill Market will host a New Year celebration all day, with the celebrations split up to allow for family-friendly fun and an adults only celebration. From 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., enjoy an all ages celebration at Sawmill. After 7 p.m., Sawmill will transform with a DJ, virtual ball drop and a champagne toast at midnight, along with special discounts at stores throughout Sawmill from 10 p.m. to 1 a.m. Tickets are $55, plus fees, and can be purchased at sawmillmarket.com/happenings.

Hello Future! NYE 2024

Say goodbye to 2024 by stepping into the future of 2025 at Electric Playhouse. Featuring musical performances from Baby Bumps, Chiddy, El Gueróó and Las Borrachas as well as Electric Playhouse games and activites. Come dressed in your futuristic best! Tickets are $20.99 early bird, $23.99 general admission, plus fees online and $28.99, plus fees, at the door. Tickets can be purchased at electricplayhouse.com. This is a 21+ event.

2025 Neon Paradice Glow Year’s Eve Party

This New Year’s Eve celebration at Sandia Resort & Casino will open up with live entertainment from DJ Jason Craig & Professor D, who will be pumping out the jams throughout the night. For $50, guests can enjoy a general admission experience or take it up a notch with the dine and dance package for $125 that gives partygoers access to a buffet that includes prime rib, crab legs, sea bass, desserts and more. A deluxe hotel room package, which features one standard hotel room for one night, dinner for two at the New Year’s Eve Buffet and two admission tickets to the event is available for $800. Tickets and information are available at sandiacasino.com. This is a 21+ event.

Noon Year’s Eve Celebration at Jungle Jam

Celebrate New Year’s Eve ahead of the ball drop at Jungle Jam, 9227 Coors Blvd. NW. This family-friendly event is a great option for children to experience the thrill of the incoming new year. The event will feature a red carpet to let every guest feel like a star, a live DJ, dance parties, a magician and a 360-degree video booth to fully capture the fun. Guests can also participate in arts and crafts activites and face painting. Barbie, Moana and Spider-Man will make a special appearance and take photos and sign autographs from 11:15 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. At noon, a balloon drop countdown will begin. Tickets are $40 per person for age 2 and older and are available at junglejamplay.com. The entry cost includes a slice of pizza and a 16-ounce drink.

Noon Year’s Eve at Explora

For those who want to celebrate the coming of the new year in family-friendly fashion, Explora, located at 1701 Mountain Road NW, will bring in 2025 with fun activities from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. At noon, Explora will release 2,025 balloons to celebrate the occasion. For more information, visit explora.us/events.

New Year’s Eve Masquerade

Celebrate the new year in style at Embassy Suites by Hilton’s Masquerade Party. Enjoy a night that includes party favors, a champagne toast and a midnight balloon drop. Dance the night away to music by Hicks & Fowler, DJ Cut and Big Worm. For an additional cost, guests can enjoy a dinner buffet complete with shrimp cocktail, a variety of salads, a prime rib carving station and more. Tickets can be purchased at eventbrite.com.

The Las Cruces Chile Drop

Las Cruces spices up the holiday season by replacing the iconic New Year’s Eve ball drop, with a giant chile pepper. The event held at the Plaza de Las Cruces, 100 N Main St., will have food, games, amusements and live entertainment beginning at 5 p.m. The Caliente band, featuring vocalist Keana Huerta, will take the stage at 9 p.m. Dance, eat, and shop until the midnight Chile Drop mark’s the year’s end. Main Street will be closed to traffic for this family friendly event. For more information, visit facebook.com/chiledroplascruces.

10th Annual New Year’s Eve on the Santa Fe Plaza

Ring in the New Year in Santa Fe, with a free, fun and festive party as The City Different says Adios! to 2024 at the Santa Fe Plaza, 63 Lincoln Ave. The free festivities begin at 8 p.m. with the Plaza warmed by stationary heaters and cozy piñon bonfires. The event will feature live music by Alex Maryol, The Reverend Karol King Kong and Lumbros as well as spoken word poetry by Stephen Jules Rubin. The Kiwanis Club of Santa Fe will provide free hot chocolate and biscochitos. Visit santafe.org/nye for more information.